1961 Cub Cadet Original Restoration Progress

[Farmall51]

Hello I am in the process of restoring a 1961 Cub Cadet "Original" Serial #15567 . The tractor is completely disassemble and in the process of cleaning and priming parts of the tractor. I have also kept up with the restoration on Youtube /Farmall51 . Thanks I will try and post pictures every time I work on the cadet and keep you updated. Thanks and a BIG Thanks for all your help along the way .






[youtube]http://youtu.be/GwsABiVix_o[/youtube]
[youtube]http://youtu.be/M9i_KQrH4ig[/youtube]
[youtube]http://youtu.be/-tuEM6LH9es[/youtube]

[Farmall51]

Both of the front spindles were worn and this Cadet has the bolt on top of the spindle to hold it on not the collar. I think from reading the serial number ( 15567) it is a few after the collar change. I have a perfectly good front axle with the collars that is in the shop that would work but I really hate to change out something like that with it supposed to have the bolts and not the collars . What would you do ?

[voltage regulator]

I'm interested in your Original restoration! I happen to be restoring a narrow frame myself. My front axel had two grooves cut into it on the right side, on the seat looking forward, that were caused by the original owner, and over the years the power take off belt which runs the mower deck actually caused the groove in the front axel. This was caused by the mule drive being out of adjustment.
So, I have a good, extra axel on hand which I thought I wanted to use. But, determining that my grooved axel was in great condition, and fully repairable, and is original to my tractor, ......I went ahead and spent the few extra dollars at the weld shop to make the front axel like new again. Though my tractor is a re-power, I enjoy in keeping it original to the serial number as much as I can.
I would probably keep the front axel that your original originally came with, if it were me. Hope to see more on this tractor progress!

[dgrapes59]

IF you want to keep it original then I would find correct spindles, they are much more plentiful than the collared ones anyway and not that expensive. There are other things that make the early '61's unique (i.e. thin front axle, rear wheels, no creeper hole, no adjustment hole in dash tower, etc.) but I believe these were phased in, as changes were made, so there are likely multiple combinations of "correct" based on the serial number anyway. Paul Bell would be one to know!

You could use the ones you have until you happen on the bolt topped ones, not a big deal to swap our later.

OH-- and the fenders were not factory, but dealer installed, you should junk them, I would be glad to take them off your hands....


Looking forward to updates,